DBS Manual

[mattf93]

Hi Guys thought Id turn my thoughts here for some info/Discussion.

Does anyone know how many British registered manual DBS' there are? (and the split of coupe/volante)
The Age range of those cars? As I only have seen earlier cars with manual gearboxes and I haven't seen a manual volante up for sale?

Also in Casino Royale The DBS had carbon bucket seats - has anyone seen or heard of one with these in? As Ive been perusing the classifieds for ages and have NEVER seen one come up with those in it. Also after watching old footage of top gear/fifth gear the DBS' used had the carbon seats in it!

Also those that have driven manual/toughtronic which is actually better to drive/suits the car? (I know that sounds STUPID on here but heard mixed reviews)

Any old/current owners thoughts would be greatly appreciated - as well as any other fountain of knowledge on here!!!

Cheers,

MattF

[AMDBSNick]

Cant resist, sorry

I own one of only 7 RHD DBS Manual Volante's in the world, confirmed by the factory.

As for Lightweight Seats there was a car at the Dublin (Charles Ivey???) dealership recently with these, very rare indeed.

I'm not sure on exact numbers for all manual DBS but I will text someone who may know and post up.

I have never driven a TT car in anger but I have mates with them who absolutely love them

[DB9VolanteDriver]

Well, the launch brochure certainly had the CF seats illustrated and on offer (not in the US, however). I honestly can't imagine a DBS buyer or dealer ordering one that way since it lacked the 'luxury' of an adjustable seatback, something any top of the range model from any manufacturer would have.

For me, manual or TT is pretty much a push, since the trans does not have the best shift quality (suppose the transaxle has a lot to do with that) and the clutch take up is a little on the high side. I would have preferred SSM as the best of both worlds...too bad that wasn't offered.

Have seen several Volantes equipped with the manual here in the US and some late model coupes (to go along with the plentiful early model manual coupes).

[NeinFondue]

AMDBSNick said:

Cant resist, sorry

I own one of only 7 RHD DBS Manual Volante's in the world, confirmed by the factory.

As for Lightweight Seats there was a car at the Dublin (Charles Ivey???) dealership recently with these, very rare indeed.

I'm not sure on exact numbers for all manual DBS but I will text someone who may know and post up.

I have never driven a TT car in anger but I have mates with them who absolutely love them

You have mates!

Anyway, being one of Nick's...... Acquaintances... I can confirm that I have driven the DBSV TT2 in anger and loved it. AM definitely made improvements to the TT box, such that the gear changes are quick in Sport mode and smooth in normal mode making the DBSV (IMHO of course) the best AM GT of that generation

On the point of rarity (production numbers), I'm not sure. I've heard (someone please correct me!) that worldwide production of coupes was under 4000 and volantes under 900 (UK RHD ~180). Early DBS coupes were only available in manual, and the later cars were largely spec'd with the popular TT2 box and 2+2 seating options. As the DBSV was available from launch with TT2, most didn't bother with the manual hence the extreme rarity of the manual DBSV.

I'm sure we would all be interested in getting the actual (official) production numbers, so if anyone has this, please post them up..

[whoami]

AMDBSNick said:

I own one of only 7 RHD DBS Manual Volante's in the world, confirmed by the factory.

Yeah, but you should have shared that, rather than keeping it to yourself.

[DB9VolanteDriver]

Total DBS was approx 3385, give or take. Probably 60/40 coupe/convertible, but that's a guess, total production is not.

Edited by DB9VolanteDriver on Saturday 2nd July 03:25

[AMDBSNick]

whoami said:

AMDBSNick said:

I own one of only 7 RHD DBS Manual Volante's in the world, confirmed by the factory.

Yeah, but you should have shared that, rather than keeping it to yourself.

It will be at Burghley

[Bincenzo]

I think I read somewhere that there were c200 manual coupes in the UK but that could be wildly out. Either way, it's still awesome.......

[B4rnst4ble]

AMDBSNick said:

Cant resist, sorry

I own one of only 7 RHD DBS Manual Volante's in the world, confirmed by the factory.

As for Lightweight Seats there was a car at the Dublin (Charles Ivey???) dealership recently with these, very rare indeed.

I'm not sure on exact numbers for all manual DBS but I will text someone who may know and post up.

I have never driven a TT car in anger but I have mates with them who absolutely love them

We know how good they are at numbering the 1-77 so it could be plus or minus a couple

[Jockman]

whoami said:

AMDBSNick said:

I own one of only 7 RHD DBS Manual Volante's in the world, confirmed by the factory.

Yeah, but you should have shared that, rather than keeping it to yourself.

[mattf93]

AMDBSNick said:

It will be at Burghley

Ill have to come find it then - what colour is your car?
Cant wait to have a peruse round (unfortunately not an owner myself )

[AdamV8V]

NeinFondue said:

I've heard (someone please correct me!) that worldwide production of coupes was under 4000 and volantes under 900 (UK RHD ~180).

852 DBS Volantes produced worldwide, as I understand it.

[NeinFondue]

AdamV8V said:

852 DBS Volantes produced worldwide, as I understand it.

Think you're right Adam... 852 does ring a bell.. How common

[bp81]

anyone know of someone with a manual dbs they are considering shifting?

[CockAroach]

I'm copying test from an earlier thread on the same topic. I'm not the author and haven't checked any of the numbers but from all internet research it looks fairly close to reality. These are worldwide figures so assume roughly UK numbers to be 25-30% of this.

"Let's try to make an estimate: in total about 3385 DBS have been produced over the years 2007-2012 (see http://www.amoc.org/forum/index.php?topic=26176.0)... first and last year probably not so much, and peak in 2010 and 2011. Split Coupe/Volante 50/50? And TT2/manual 90/10 (95/5 for the Volante).

This makes the following estimate:
- 2007: 300 (Coupe, Manual)
- 2008: 500 (C, M)
- 2009: 700 (500 C (300 M, 200 TT), 200 Volante (50 M, 150 TT))
- 2010: 800 (400 C (40 M, 360 TT), 400 V (20 M, 380 TT))
- 2011: 800 (400 C (40 M, 360 TT), 400 V (20 M, 380 TT))
- 2012: 285 (140 C (14 M, 126 TT), 145 V (5 M, 140 TT))

So in total: 3385 DBS, of which 2240 Coupes (1194 Manual, 1046 TT2) and 1145 Volantes (95 Manual, 1050 TT).

Edited by CockAroach on Friday 23 September 10:01

Edited by CockAroach on Friday 23 September 10:02

[CockAroach]

With regard to the gearbox, it really is a question of personal preference. I don't like autos or even PDKs regardless of how good they are, and I couldn't even tell you exactly why that's the case. In the DBS, whilst the TT can't come close to the most modern twin clutch boxes, both are very good. If you were doing a lot of town driving (unlikely) you'd favour the TT, but for a more engaging drive you'd go for the manual. The only other thing to consider, with the exception of the V12V, is where else can you go if you want a huge N/A V12 mated to a manual RWD transmission, all wrapped in one of the most beautiful designs in recent automotive history? ...No I can't think of one either

[Bincenzo]

There is only one drawback in the manual for me, and that is the position of the gear knob, it's too far back and makes for an awkward movement when shifting. Clearly relates also to seating position, but that combined with the slightly odd armrest arrangement, doesnt make for a natural throw. Certainly the case for me.

[CockAroach]

Bincenzo said:

There is only one drawback in the manual for me, and that is the position of the gear knob, it's too far back and makes for an awkward movement when shifting. Clearly relates also to seating position, but that combined with the slightly odd armrest arrangement, doesnt make for a natural throw. Certainly the case for me.

Yes it's not perfect but I prefer to view it (in my rose coloured specs) as slightly idiosyncratic rather than a fault. Certainly wasn't enough of a problem to put me off. I don't know who said it but I like the sentiment " There's nothing more boring than perfection". DB5s in their day were a long way off perfect, in fact they were a pretty awful drive next to their peers, so engineering and value are seemingly not that closely related.

Edited by CockAroach on Friday 23 September 10:45

[chrisstern]

CockAroach said:

With regard to the gearbox, it really is a question of personal preference. I don't like autos or even PDKs regardless of how good they are, and I couldn't even tell you exactly why that's the case. In the DBS, whilst the TT can't come close to the most modern twin clutch boxes, both are very good. If you were doing a lot of town driving (unlikely) you'd favour the TT, but for a more engaging drive you'd go for the manual. The only other thing to consider, with the exception of the V12V, is where else can you go if you want a huge N/A V12 mated to a manual RWD transmission, all wrapped in one of the most beautiful designs in recent automotive history? ...No I can't think of one either

You may indeed find it "unlikely" that the car would be used for a lot of town driving, but as my daily drive I'm pleased to report it works really well both at that and being stuck in jams on the M25! Yes a manual would indeed be more engaging, especially if used as a toy, but day to day probably a bit of an effort. Plus I'd always be stressing about the exorbitant cost of replacing the clutch!

[bp81]

what are peoples thoughts on the perfect colour for the dbs coupe? are there any no nos colour wise?